Ingredients
4 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock for a vegetarian version)
2 cups water
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon miso paste
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon mirin (optional)
1 teaspoon fish sauce (optional, for depth of flavor)
10 oz fresh ramen noodles (or dried ramen if fresh isn’t available)
4 soft-boiled eggs
8 thin slices of cooked pork belly or chicken
1 sheet nori (seaweed), cut into strips
1/4 cup corn kernels
1 cup baby spinach or bok choy
2 green onions, sliced
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Chili oil or Sriracha, to taste
Execution
Prepare the Broth
1-In a large pot, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger, sautéing for about 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
2-Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock and water. Stir in the soy sauce, miso paste, mirin, and fish sauce (if using).
3-Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the broth simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
Cook the Noodles
1-While the broth is simmering, bring another pot of water to a boil.
2-Cook the ramen noodles according to package instructions (usually 2-3 minutes for fresh noodles, 5 minutes for dried). Drain and rinse the noodles with cold water to prevent them from sticking together.
Prepare the Toppings
1-If you haven’t prepped them yet, soft-boil your eggs by boiling them for about 7 minutes, then transferring them to an ice bath before peeling.
2-Slice your pork or chicken thinly, and lightly heat it in a pan if needed.
3-Slice the green onions, and prepare the rest of your toppings.
Assemble the Ramen
1-Divide the cooked noodles between 4 bowls.
2-Ladle the hot broth over the noodles.
3-Top each bowl with the soft-boiled eggs, sliced pork or chicken, spinach or bok choy, corn, green onions, and seaweed strips.
4-Sprinkle with sesame seeds and add a dash of chili oil or Sriracha for a spicy kick if you like.
Serve and Enjoy
Your homemade ramen is ready! The combination of rich broth, chewy noodles, and savory toppings is pure comfort. Serve hot and enjoy slurping those noodles, just like in Japan!
Additional tips
- Try using tofu or tempeh instead of pork or chicken for a vegetarian version.
- The beauty of ramen is in its versatility. Add mushrooms, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts, or even kimchi for an extra burst of flavor and texture.
- If you love heat, mix in chili paste, hot sesame oil, or extra Sriracha to the broth before serving
